“We’ve kind of got a mixed bunch,” said Beach, a graduate of Spartanburg High now living in Atlanta. “Mr. Tom Cuttino over here, he’s got the team bus. So we all travel as a group. There are anywhere from four to 12 in the bus. We fit 14 at Auburn.”

Of course that number swells thanks to a spectacular tailgate setup and the group’s festive attitude that serves as a siren call to fellow Clemson fans.

“We set up four tents, a sound system, four TVs, lighting, tables, chairs, food, and most importantly a disco ball,” Cuttino said. “I was a DJ at Clemson for all the private parties. So my nickname in college was Disco Cuttino.”

That group's party atmosphere is all the more impressive given the circumstances surrounding their trip to Tampa. They drove through an ice storm in Atlanta, had to sort out a credit card issue and dealt with a hotel mix up that would’ve put some members of the party 60 miles south in Sarasota.

The hotel arrangements were resolved, but that led to some good intentions gone awry.

Goff made the trip to Tampa with the group despite losing her husband just a few days ago.

“He was an avid Clemson fan,” Goff said. “He had a Clemson truck, dune buggy, golf cart, and Segway. I would not be a Clemson fan if it wasn’t for him. We’d been married 32 years. He was adamant that I come here. It was unexpected. He’d been sick, but even though he was sick he wanted me to come.”

While clarifying the mix up in accommodation, the hotel in Tampa became aware of Goff’s loss and wanted to express its sympathy.

“When we walked in the room there was this humongous arrangement of flowers for me,” Goff said. “But they sent the wrong team colors. It was Alabama colors and it had 'Go Bama, Roll Tide' on it.”

Goff was able to laugh it off as she and her friends prepared to rally around the Tigers in Tampa.